5-year-old son of slain Terre Haute officer gets escort to school

May 14 is a day that one little Indiana boy will never forget.

Dakota Pitts recently lost his father, Terre Haute Officer Rob Pitts, in the line of duty.

On his first day back to school, the 5-year-old did not want to show up alone. He asked his mom if he could have an escort, but he didn't expect so many to appear.

More than 50 Terre Haute officers and some family members appeared without any hesitation.

"It's a brotherhood; it's not like any other job you're going to have," Det. Les Hamm explained. "Guys are close, you form bonds that you wouldn't form in a different profession. When somebody's in need, we go, especially for a fallen officer and his kid."

"Having that many people here to support him, I know that he will remember that probably forever. So it was very important," Principal Samantha Phegley added.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - The Latest on the funeral for a slain western Indiana police officer (all times local):

12:10 p.m.

A western Indiana police officer who was killed during a shootout with a homicide suspect is being honored as a hero whose death has left a gaping wound in the community.

Hundreds of police officers from around the country filed Wednesday into Indiana State University's basketball arena as the funeral began for 45-year-old Terre Haute Officer Robert Pitts. Officials say Pitts was fatally wounded Friday when he and other officers approached a 21-year-old suspect, who died of a gunshot wound after barricading himself inside an apartment.

Sen. Joe Donnelly told mourners that Pitts was one of Indiana's sons who gave everything he had and didn't flee from danger.

Pitts was a 16-year member of the Terre Haute Police Department following six years with the police force in the nearby city of Sullivan. He was the father of a daughter and two sons.

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5:45 a.m.

Hundreds of police officers from across the country are expected to attend the funeral for a western Indiana police officer who was killed during a shootout with a homicide suspect.

The funeral for 45-year-old Terre Haute Officer Robert Pitts takes place Wednesday at Indiana State University's Hulman Center. Officials say Pitts was fatally wounded when he and other officers approached 21-year-old suspect Christopher A. Wolfe, who died of a gunshot wound after barricading himself inside an apartment.

Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse said Tuesday that Pitts represented "what is best in this society."

Pitts was a 16-year member of the Terre Haute Police Department following six years with the police force in the nearby city of Sullivan. He was the father of a daughter and two sons.

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5/9/2018 12:19:46 PM (GMT -4:00)